3D printing – A future where your printer connected to a desktop is capable of printing a solid object. It’s a process of crafting three dimensional robust objects from a digital file using additive processes. An object is created by positioning consecutive layers of material until the whole object is shaped.

It is also known as rapid prototyping, a mechanized method where 3D objects are quickly made on a reasonably sized machine connected to a computer containing blueprints for the object.

Although the technology has become popular in recent days, it existed well in the 1980s. Charles Hull in 1984 first developed the technology for printing physical 3D objects from digital data. He obtained a patent for the technique “Stereo lithography” in 1986.

The concept of 3D printing is exciting to everyone. According to some futurists, 3D printing is opening up a whole new world which will make life as we know it today barely noticeable in the next few decades. 3D printers in the hands of consumers will mean the end of standardization, and the beginning of products personalized to every individual which helps to create a world where the products we buy have a better fit, a better match to one’s personal style. It’s an amazing explosion of creativity, personal aiding, global connectivity and disruptive innovation in the material world.

Working of 3D printer

First of all, one should have the virtual designs of the object to be created. It is basically done using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, because the software is built with manufacturing in mind. Once the creation of the digital file is done, the file is prepared for printing by slicing the final model into many cross sectional layers, which are only a fraction of a millimeter thick.The 3D printer reads and blends every slice in such a way that there are hardly any visible sign of the layers.

Another method is using 3D scanners. It can be used to create the digital copy of an object using different technologies to generate a 3D model. These object layers can then be sent to a 3D printer that will print them out, one on top of the other, until they are built up into a complete 3D printed object.

Future of 3D Printing

There is more in the future as this field advances at a staggering rate and futurists are calling it the revolution of 3D printing like never before. Some of the fields where 3D printing application has highest scope in future are:

Developing Complex Engine Parts

Some engines, let’s say Jet engines have quite a few complex designs to manufacture. Fuel Nozzle of jet engines for example, can be developed at a much faster pace using 3D printing with more accuracy and enhanced design. Now that the American designers are working on 3-D printed cars they will find it easier to improvise the design for the advancement in performance.

Dr. David Sheffler’s class built a 3D-printed jet engine replica that was able to spin at 2,000 RPM.

Fashion

3D printing is conquering the fashion world. Although the pioneering new technology still has limitations, more designers are today experimenting with it and creating entirely new looks with more distinguished and more qualitative output.

daniel widrig 3d printed jewelry

Medical applications

One of the most impact-full area of growth will be in the medical field. Where creation of artificial bones and limbs has made way from experimental to practical life and on the other hand there are investigations on the possibility of printing organic materials to replace defective human body parts. There are few cases of successful facial transplants and prosthetic jaw transplant, and 3D printing-based medical techniques have already saved countless lives and opened new doors in medicines which were not imagined before.

Space Explorations

When something goes wrong with the machine parts in space, it is normal procedure to send replacements from earth , which is no easy job and costs millions of dollars. But with a 3D printer in space the required parts can directly printed in space saving up on vital time, cost and reduces potential risks.

Wrapping it up!

Every idea is a revolution when it becomes pragmatically accessible from once being a theoretical dream. Advances in 3D technology has blended the unimaginable into every possible field.

The future of manufacturing is bound to change, with more goods being produced and much closer to point of purchase or consumption. Goods and products will be modified at the consumer’s end because altering them won’t require re-tooling. With end users controlling the manufacturing themselves rather than engaging in trade with other people, it would revolutionize nature of commerce.

]]>The Sony TV remote with speakers!http://www.tutorialspoint.com/articles/the-sony-tv-remote-with-speakers
Thu, 27 Aug 2015 07:01:13 +0000http://www.tutorialspoint.com/articles/?p=11365This is one of those things that are ridiculous but practically cool, and something only Sony would dare to make. A TV remote with speakers. It is currently only meant for the Japanese market, and might remain there. The Japanese are more open to technology and love the conveniences and the complications it brings with it.

The Look:

A lot of people think it is bizarre, but then it’s not innovative until it’s different. And it is purposeful. The look is unlike any remote you have ever seen. Unlike the futuristic Apple TV remote which you will be losing all the time within a punching distance, this will stay in your eye-sight even at 100 yards. As a guy who wants to save up on his energy all the time, I am sold!

It has a large volume dial on the right (if you are holding it the right way!), which can be pushed in, to mute the sound. That’s thoughtful.

How does it work:

It essentially pairs a TV remote with a wireless speaker, which receives a 2.4GHz signal from dongle attached to your TV. It has a base station for charging, with a battery life of around 16 hours.

How useful is it?

We do live in a time when time-shifted TV and streaming services are gaining popularity. Pressing that pause button seems much better than spending over $160 on this remote. But we still have a vast majority of people like me who don’t own a TV or a service like that. And call me old-school, even if I owned time-shifted TV, sometimes I might just like to walk-away without hitting pause.

But it does seem to have another advantage that you might want to pay for. It brings the TV sound closer to you, whether you are watching TV in the living room, or taking a break in the loo or sweating it out in your exercise room. And since the speaker is already there, why not have a channel-changer? And if you are watching a fast paced, glass shattering, action-packed movie, you can ensure that nobody else in your house is losing their sleep over it. And yes it comes with a build in head-phone jack as well!

And you probably noticed it already, it comes with a handle to carry it along anywhere you want!

I believe Sony could have gone a little further and just added a home cellular phone functionality to it! Now wouldn’t that have piqued your interest!

]]>7 Ways to Back Up Your Company’s Datahttp://www.tutorialspoint.com/articles/7-ways-to-back-up-your-companys-data
http://www.tutorialspoint.com/articles/7-ways-to-back-up-your-companys-data#respondWed, 25 Sep 2013 18:37:00 +0000http://www.tutorialspoint.com/shorttutorials/?p=3430With the rapid evolution of technology comes new ways to make your business more efficient. As more businesses discard physical records and move towards electronic records, it becomes increasingly important to make sure you efficiently back up all of your data. How would you go about doing that? Here are some ways to secure your company’s data.

Flash Drives

Since data files are fairly small in size, they can be stored on flash drives. Flash drives are getting larger and prices on them continue to fall. While this isn’t the most ideal way to store data, if you’re hesitant about storing your data online, this is one of the best routes you can take.

You’ll have to manually back the data up each time, so if your business suffers a crash, you’ll curse yourself for not taking a few seconds one day to back up your data. Flash drives can be themed to look like something else, so if someone were to see it, they wouldn’t immediately notice that it’s a flash drive.

External Hard Drives

If you still have a fear of putting your company’s data online, you can back up your company’s data using an external hard drive. You can pick up a 2 terabyte hard drive for about $70, so they won’t put you under. External hard drives work much the same as flash drives, you’ll be able to cart your data around. External hard drives aren’t completely immune to crashes, so store them in a safe place.

Encrypted File Storage

Encrypting your data assures you that, even if someone does get ahold of the data, they won’t be able to access any information. You could encrypt the data and leave it on company servers, upload it online, or you could encrypt it and back it up on a physical storage device. Just make sure you know how to decrypt it. If you forget how to decrypt it, you may be out of luck.

Automated Backups

Another option is to schedule automated backups. These backups could occur hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly. Once they’re completed, they can be stored online, on your computer, or even on a physical storage device. If something terrible happens to your computer, you’ll be able to fix it in a fairly short amount of time with a minimal amount of data lost.

Web Hosting Storage

There are many sites online that offer online storage. You could upload your data through any one of these sources. The downside is that any of these sources could suffer a hack or breach of data at any point. If you encrypt your data, you’ll have nothing to worry about, but if you don’t, your data could fall into the wrong hands. Some sites offer several GB of storage for a certain fee every month. Web hosting storage is best left for site elements rather than sensitive files.

Cloud Storage

One the newest ways to store data is through online cloud storage. There are many different hosting options. One of the benefits of cloud storage is that, if you have a company document or spreadsheet, multiple people can modify it at the same time. In the event that your system goes down, devices such as a smartphone or tablet can access the data. If your business streams a lot of cloud data, you should consider a high tier DSL connection.

Cloud storage allows you to share documents with everyone without worrying about storage constraints or server overloads. The data can be sent across the world in literally seconds, which puts cloud storage at a huge advantage over physical backup devices. Cloud storage services are typically very secure, so you shouldn’t be worried about anyone accessing your company’s sensitive information.

Automated Cloud Backup

Combining the ideas of yesteryear with the technology of tomorrow, some companies offer automated cloud backup. It does exactly as it sounds and backs up your data and an interval chosen by you. Different tiers of service offer different benefits, for example, the lower priced tiers typically offer automated backup with a limited amount of space, while the upper tiers, usually reserved for businesses, offer a higher amount of space with more benefits, such as being HIPAA compliant.

You’ll be completely free of stress and worry as everything is taken care of. If your system goes down, you don’t have to worry, everything has already been backed up.

In the ever-increasing electronic world, it’s more important than ever to secure your company’s data. Which do you feel most comfortable with? Are you hesitant to put all of your company’s data on an online server?